Johannesburg, South Africa — Acclaimed journalist and media entrepreneur Stephanie Busari has brought together a powerful delegation of African women leaders in Johannesburg for the inaugural Her Story Leadership Exchange, held alongside the Forbes Leading Women Summit 2026.

The March gathering marks a milestone for Busari’s Her Story platform, coming one year after the release of the Her Story anthology—a collection documenting the journeys, impact, and resilience of African women across industries. The exchange reinforced a central theme: African women are actively shaping global narratives through leadership, enterprise, and innovation.

Busari, founder and CEO of SBB Media, led a delegation of founders, executives, and professionals from Nigeria and across the diaspora, strengthening African representation at one of the continent’s foremost platforms for women in leadership, business, and governance.

The delegation included notable figures such as Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation; Udo Okonjo, founder of Radiant Collective Capital; as well as Sophia Momodu, Nkiru Achukwu, Dayo Aderugbo, Solape Fayemi, and Ekene Ajene Onu.

The visit also featured diplomatic engagement, with Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, formally receiving the delegation—highlighting the growing intersection between women’s leadership, diplomacy, and economic influence across Africa.

At the heart of the initiative is the Her Story anthology, published under Busari’s SBB Publishing imprint. The collection serves as a cultural and literary platform documenting African women’s contributions across sectors. Contributions include Dr. DaSilva-Ibru’s work addressing gender-based violence and Nkiru Achukwu’s account of building a fashion enterprise, reflecting a broader spectrum of leadership and innovation on the continent.

Beyond documentation, the exchange focused on amplifying African women’s voices and fostering collaboration. Busari also moderated a panel titled “Her Story, Our Power: The Women Who Write the Narrative,” which explored leadership across entrepreneurship, governance, advocacy, and creative industries.

Complementing the summit sessions were smaller, strategic gatherings designed to deepen engagement. A private convening of selected participants enabled more focused dialogue, while a delegation lunch at Nelson Mandela Square provided a setting for continued discussions on collaboration, leadership, and long-term impact.

The Her Story Leadership Exchange signals a growing movement to document, connect, and elevate African women leaders—positioning them not just as participants, but as architects of the continent’s evolving global narrative.